Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 24/04) - The right to vote on borrowing schemes put forward by City Hall will no longer be the sole-domain of property owners come next Thursday.

The territorial government's Cities, Towns, and Villages Act -- effective April 1 -- promises to give more power to NWT communities to govern themselves and the people they represent.

One of the changes includes giving the vote to ordinary citizens on borrowing questions put forward by plebiscite. Until now, only ratepayers were allowed to vote.

A prime example would be when city council went to ratepayers in 1998 to ask their permission to borrow $2.8 million to build the Multiplex arena. That proposal was voted down.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said he supports the change to the plebiscite rule because he feels it will give a more accurate account of the public's mood on projects that require borrowed money to complete.

"There have been instances where it may have been best for the community, but it might not be for the best -- perception-wise -- of property owners," said Van Tighem.

Not all borrowing schemes will go to the public for a vote. The city can still go to the territorial government to seek permission to borrow money for developing land.

City Councillor Doug Witty said he likes the new legislation, too, although he is concerned one group -- the houseboaters -- are gaining a privileged status they don't necessarily deserve.

"They don't have any direct or indirect contribution to the city tax infrastructure so that, for me, is an issue," said Witty. "But they're a small enough community that they won't affect what we do, I hope.

"The thing is, we all have to look out for what's best for the community and hopefully that's the direction we will go."

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Henry Zoe said he was unfamiliar with the portion of the legislation referring to voter approval.

But, he said the idea behind the re-vamped law was to give communities more control over their internal finances.

"It gives new power to municipalities, especially non-taxed based ones, so they could borrow money and plan for debt," said Zoe.

"They don't have to go through cabinet (for approval)."